LA CANADA FLINTRIDGE >> Senior Jeremiah Martin is the X-factor for the St. Francis High School football team.

The Golden Knights enjoyed one of the better seasons in the program’s history last year, and have enough impact returners to add to the glory this fall.

But the missing link is at quarterback, a void left by the graduation of Star-News Player of the Year Ty Gangi that Martin hopes to fill after sitting out last season.

”I definitely feel a little bit of responsibility,” Martin said earlier this week after practice. “This team is going to go where I take them. I feel that pressure, but I’m ready to live up to that.”

St. Francis was sort of in the same predicament last season. Gangi, who spelled starter Jared Lebowitz the previous season, was also unknown outside of the St. Francis community, but he proved to be the wild card, accounting for nearly 4,000 yards and 40 touchdowns, leading the Golden Knights to the Western Division semifinals.

Time will tell if Martin can make that leap, but so far he’s risen above the rest and could make a big impact for the Golden Knights, who begin their season Sept. 5 with a home game vs. Chino.

“It’s really hard to compare from one year to the next,” St. Francis coach Jim Bonds said. “There are so many other factors, when you talk about the surrounding players, the offensive line and those things. (Gangi and Martin) are similar in that they are both intelligent kids and they have a great understanding of the offense.

“I would say Ty was a little more polished as passer at this time last year, but he played as a junior. Jeremiah really didn’t throw a football for about eight months.”

That’s been Martin’s biggest challenge, and it appears he feels more comfortable every practice.

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“It’s just getting back in the groove,” Martin said. “I remember some things from my freshman and sophomore years. It’s just getting my throwing motion back. It’s been a lot of work, but I think I prepared myself pretty well.”

Switching roles

St. Francis enters this season with different expectations than its ever had before.

The Golden Knights go from the hunter of trying to track down former league title favorites Serra and Chaminade, to being the hunted as the favorite in the new Angelus League and in the Southeast Division.

That difference is not lost on Bonds and his team.

“We’re not going to sneak up on anybody,” Bonds said. “We’re going to be circled on a lot of people’s calendars. It’s a different situation for us. We haven’t been a league champion here in a long time, and the furthest we’ve gone in the playoffs is the semifinals. It’s something we need to manage and keep an eye on our players who read what you guys are writing about us.”

Big-time recruit

St. Francis has had its fair share of Division 1 recruits over the years, and this season that falls on junior receiver Dylan Crawford, who after a solid sophomore season is getting several looks from high-profile colleges.

But the junior, who is arguably the top receiver in the area, is putting those thoughts on the back-burner until after the season.

“(During passing leagues) I was working (on the recruiting),” Crawford said. “But right now, it’s all about the team.”

Crawford is expected to be the focal point for opposing defenses, but he said he’s ready to handle the challenge.

“No pressure,” Crawford said. “I know what I have to do, which is to just work hard, make plays. I know they are going to try to stop me, but just have to go out there and play.”